23 Apr Tuesday Traveller: Hannah Loaring – Believe in your dreams

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We caught up with Hannah, a 32 year old graphic designer from Brighton on a RTW adventure!

Where is your favourite beach in the world?

Palolem Beach in Goa. I love it for as many reasons as it has grains of sand; the women wading in the shallows in their beautiful saris; the cows wandering calmly along the shore; the fruit sellers with their bright yellow mangoes warmed by the sun. It’s a magical place, and I leave a piece of my soul there for safe-keeping. It’s also the place where I met my partner Lee, a Scotsman who I laughed at for wearing a kilt on the beach. I guess he got the last laugh in the end.

Do you prefer to travel solo or with a friend?

Though I have had many incredible and life changing experience whilst travelling solo, I am definitely a traveller who likes company. I think it encourages you to see the world through other people’s eyes, and helps you to think outside of yourself, and engage with the world in a different way. It makes me a more patient and understanding traveller.

What is the most epic bus journey you’ve experienced?

My partner Lee and I took an overnight bus from Goa to Hampi that was supposed to take 6 hours, but ended up taking 18 due to the longest traffic jam I have ever seen. There was no air conditioning, and the toilet consisted of a Pringles tube and an open window. Despite this, we had a great time getting to know the other travellers on board, playing cards and sharing travel stories. We got on so well with one couple that we ended up travelling with them for the rest of their time in India. I love how travel can change your view on things like that; what seems like a disaster at first can turn out to be the best part of your journey.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?

I think the most adventurous thing I have done is believe in my dreams, and have the courage to make them come true. Two and a half years ago I decided I wanted to travel the world indefinitely, and worked 80+ hours a week to make this happen, clearing Â£15,000 ($24,000 USD) in debt, building the same amount in savings, and starting a blog to document my journey. I sold everything I owned, quit my job and headed off to start a new life with my partner out on the road.

If you had to travel with a celebrity who would it be and why?

Sir David Attenborough, because he’s Sir David Attenborough. I’d get him to narrate all my travel videos.

What camera do you take travelling with you and why?

I used to swear by my iPhone for taking the best photos, but sadly this was stolen earlier this year in Goa. Now I have a Canon S100, which is a great little camera that I am slowly learning to master. I still miss my iPhone though, and hope to replace it at some point.

In your opinion, what do you think is the sexiest nation?

I guess I will have to say the British!

Hannah is a 33-year-old traveller, writer and truth seeker. Having paid off her debt, sold everything she owned and quit her job, she embarked on an indefinite RTW adventure with her boyfriend Lee, in pursuit of a life less ordinary.

1Comment

I am planning a gap year escape (maybe more than a year) and I love your comments about your most adventurous thing you’ve ever done. I’m working toward doing the same thing so I can write full-time. I wished you posted more about how you cleared up your debt so quick. Maybe I can if I can just stop golfing and eating at the Miami steak houses…